Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island

Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island is the second-highest Rhode Island executive office in the United States. The office is currently held by Sabina Matos, who was sworn in on April 14, 2021, following the resignation of Dan McKee to become the Governor of Rhode Island. The Rhode Island General Assembly has played a significant role in shaping the office, with notable lawmakers like John Chafee and Claiborne Pell contributing to its development. The Democratic Party and Republican Party have both held the office, with Lincoln Chafee and Bruce Sundlun being notable examples.

● History of

the Office The office of Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island was established in 1854, with William Beach Lawrence being the first to hold the position. The Rhode Island Constitution has undergone several amendments, including the 1986 amendment that changed the term length to four years, as supported by Edward D. DiPrete and Bruce Sundlun. The office has been held by notable individuals like J. Joseph Garrahy, who later became the Governor of Rhode Island, and Robert Weygand, who went on to serve in the United States House of Representatives. The Rhode Island State House has been the seat of government, where the Lieutenant Governor works closely with the Governor of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island General Assembly, including lawmakers like Patrick Kennedy and Jack Reed.

● Powers and Responsibilities

The Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island has several key powers and responsibilities, including serving as the President of the Rhode Island Senate and casting tie-breaking votes, as seen in the 2019 session with Dominick Ruggerio and Michael McCaffrey. The office also involves working closely with the Governor of Rhode Island on policy initiatives, such as those supported by Gina Raimondo and Angel Taveras. The Lieutenant Governor is also the chair of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Advisory Board, which includes representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross. Additionally, the office is responsible for serving on various boards and commissions, including the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, which have been supported by Sheldon Whitehouse and Jim Langevin.

● List of Lieutenant Governors

The list of Lieutenant Governors includes notable individuals like Robert Quinn, Thomas R. Kane, and Robert Weygand, who have all played important roles in Rhode Island politics. Other notable Lieutenant Governors include J. Joseph Garrahy, Edward D. DiPrete, and Bruce Sundlun, who have all gone on to hold other prominent offices, such as the Governor of Rhode Island and the United States House of Representatives. The list also includes Lincoln Chafee, who later became a United States Senator and the Governor of Rhode Island, and Elizabeth H. Roberts, who has been a prominent figure in Rhode Island healthcare policy, working with organizations like the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association.

● Election and Term

The Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island is elected to a four-year term, as established by the 1986 amendment to the Rhode Island Constitution, supported by Edward D. DiPrete and Bruce Sundlun. The election is held concurrently with the Governor of Rhode Island election, with the winner being the candidate who receives the most votes, as seen in the 2018 election with Dan McKee and Gina Raimondo. The term begins on the first Monday in January following the election, as specified in the Rhode Island Constitution, and the Lieutenant Governor is limited to serving two consecutive terms, as established by the Rhode Island General Assembly with the support of lawmakers like Patrick Kennedy and Jack Reed.

● Duties and Authorities

The Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island has several key duties and authorities, including serving as the President of the Rhode Island Senate and casting tie-breaking votes, as seen in the 2019 session with Dominick Ruggerio and Michael McCaffrey. The office also involves working closely with the Governor of Rhode Island on policy initiatives, such as those supported by Gina Raimondo and Angel Taveras. The Lieutenant Governor is also the chair of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Advisory Board, which includes representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross. Additionally, the office is responsible for serving on various boards and commissions, including the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, which have been supported by Sheldon Whitehouse and Jim Langevin.

● Notable Lieutenant Governors

Notable Lieutenant Governors of Rhode Island include J. Joseph Garrahy, who later became the Governor of Rhode Island, and Robert Weygand, who went on to serve in the United States House of Representatives. Other notable Lieutenant Governors include Lincoln Chafee, who later became a United States Senator and the Governor of Rhode Island, and Elizabeth H. Roberts, who has been a prominent figure in Rhode Island healthcare policy, working with organizations like the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. The Lieutenant Governor has also worked closely with other notable figures, including Gina Raimondo, Angel Taveras, and Sheldon Whitehouse, on various policy initiatives, such as those supported by the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The office has been held by individuals from various backgrounds, including John Chafee, who was a United States Senator and the Governor of Rhode Island, and Claiborne Pell, who was a United States Senator and a prominent figure in Rhode Island education policy, working with institutions like Brown University and the University of Rhode Island.